The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-06-08


What YOU desire of me, presume, is a state
ment Of my view of the principles and tenden-
cies OF the two great political parties OF the
country, for they must be tested by these and
not by independent opinions or partial differ-
ences which always exist. These principles
are the natural outgrowth OF the contest over
the institution OF slavery that has continued
since the commencement of the Government,
but it was not until the repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise, and the great debate that oe-
Cured in Illinois between Abraham Lincoln
and stephen A. Douglas, that the philosophy OF
slavery was fully presented before popular au-
diences II was this debate that led TO tho
nomination OF Mr. Lincoln, and made MIN the
first Republican President of tho United States
Then also was shown the destructive ten
denotes of the institution of slavery and its
mastery over the Democratic party Because
Mr.. Douglas would not agree to its extreme
demand, il
BROKE UP THE CHARLESTON CONVENTION
and destroyed his last hope Of success. When
Lincoln unsolicited il fired upon Fort Sumter
and commenced the war that covered our land
with heroic dead and left among us hundreds of
thousands of manned, wounded, and invalid
soldiers, and the widows OF those who persisted,
But, thank God. in this struggle slavery COM
mitted suicide, and the good time which Lin
coin hoped would come in the far future, came
by the attempt at secession, and 10 was his
hand that wrote the decree OF eternal justice
that abolished slavery forever.
1t was the Republican party that guided the
ship of state through the perils and storms of
civil war. II marshalled armies, built navies,
improvised a currency which to this day is the
best ever devised in peace or war. It borrowed
immense sums of money, and yet laid the foun-
dation of a public creIit higher in the markets
of the world than that of any nation in our own
or in ancient times. 1t also established pub-
lie policy of taxation which, improved since the
war has filled our Treasury to overlooking with
revenue, and yet has so encouraged, developed,
fostered and protected our industries that we
can dig from our mines, and make in our own
workshops and raise on our own farms all the
raw products OF nature, and every article OF
necessity, convenience, or luxury essential TO
the highest civilization.
But what was the course OF the Democratic
party during the civil war? Emasculated by
the loss Of the patriotic men who entered the
service OF their country in the time of its peril,
il was the representative Of all the disloyal
elements OF our country.
It gathered in its folds Knights OF the Golden
Circle, the mob rioters of New York and the
bounty jumpers and shirks. 1t held reasonable
correspondence with rebel emissaries on our
Canadian border and conveyed intelligence to
the enemy in most critical periods of the war
AS to the Southern wing of the Democratic
party, they at least had during the war the
courage Of their convictions Led by false
theories and local pride into armed resistance,
they did maintain their cause with even more
than the courage and sacrifices of La Nendee
While condemning their cause we can respect
their fidelity TO it and the sincerity OF their mo-
tives.
But, in spite of ALL rebels and copperheads
combined in spite of English cruisers under
rebel flags and English cannon, muskets arms,
and ammunition the Union armies prevailed
Lincoln was reelected, army after army sur
rendered to General Grant. the Union was re-
stored and the flag of country waved in
undisputed authority from Virginia to Texas.
One blow was yet to be struck, and that was by
the hand of an assassin, inspired by the fauati
csm of the rebellion. Lincoln was killed when
his heart was full of gratitude TO God, gener-
osity to vanquished rebels and goodwill to all
men. The veteran armies Of the Union were
rapidly disbanded. Many of you, no doubt,
marched in the grandest pageant OF modern
times, the review of the armies of General
Grant and General sherman in the streets OF
Washington and their return TO their homes.
Let us pause at the end Of the war and imag-
inc with what feeling those returning soldiers
would have received the prophecy that, within
twenty years, the same elements Of hostility to
the Union cause. the same alliance between
Confederates and their sy1npathzers, would be in
POSSESSION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE
and in substantial control OF the Government I;
that the slaves. though nominally free, were
deprived, by unlawful means, OF all political
power and their numbers counted to swell the
political power OF their former owners. Who
could believe that such could be the result ?
And what n mockery of JUSTICE what re-
proach to our patriotism wfat& shame to our
loyal people that it is so. Let us see where the
fault lies.
What was then the feeling and policy OF the
Republican party? II was not the triumph of
victory but the sense OF gratitude that we had
preserved our country, and Of charity for the
motives of defeated Confederates, with the firm
conviction that they would share with us all
the blessings Of a strong and united people.
The Republican party shed no blood after the
war was over made no coniscations, provided
no punshments. 1t said to the Confederate
soldiers, go home and sin no more" There
was a universal desire among Republicans for
q restoration of the rebel States TO their old
place IN the Union, with no conditions except
such as would secure faithful observance Of
the laws Of the United States. It's first step
was the adoption by the several States of the
thirteenth amendment The second step was
to put end to the doctrine of secession by
the fourteenth amendment as broad ana lib
eral n proposition in favor of human liberty
and human rights as ever was framed by man.
A series Of measures were then, from time To
time, adopted by Congress, among which were
the gradual repeal of internal taxes, the redpc-
ton of the public debt, a system OF liberal pen.
sions TO Union soldiers, n revision Of the tariff
laws carefully framed to continue the protec-
ton and encouragement OF American industry
The Pacific Railroad was built. The English
Government was
COMPELLED TO MAKE RESTITUTION
for the work OF her cruisers. The interest OF the
debt was enormously reduced by the process of
refunding, and, finally, by the resumption OF
specie payments, our currency placed ON
the coin basis. This series Of measures solely
the work OF the Republican party, rapidly made
good the waste of war, and put the country
upon the road of unexampled progress and pros
In what spirit was this met by the Democ-
racy?
What language can express the cruel and bar
barous atrocity of the controlling elements Of
the South in their treatment OF Republicans,
both white and black, and especially of the
freedmen who had been invested by constitu-
tional amendments with liberty and political
rights? Taking advantage OF the detection OF
Andrew johnson snd his reconstruction policy,
-aey commsncAd with laws that denied the
freedmen liberty Of speech and OF the press,